Asteroidea de Puerto Deseado (Santa Cruz, Argentina)¹

Abstract

Nine Asteroidea species known from Puerto Deseado (47°. 45’ S, 65°. 55’ W) were studied. The most abundant are Anasterias minuta and Patiriella fimbriata, both species are very common on the extensive mesolittoral. The other species present in Deseado's estuary are: Cycelhra verrucosa verrucosa, Ganeria hahni, Ganeria falklandica, Cosmasterias lurida, Anasterias pedicelaris and Anasterias antárctica. Henricia obesa has only been collected seawards the estuary (60 m depth). A key for the identification of the nine species studied is provided. Short descriptions and geographic distribution are also given.